Re: Best Tripod for Interviews // Quick Leveling + Sturdy, DSLR/Mirrorless

E

ectobuilder

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Re: Best Tripod for Interviews // Quick Leveling + Sturdy, DSLR/Mirrorless

I am looking to purchase a tripod that is quick to level for interviews.

Most likely it would need a center column that can move up and down vertically. This will allow me to adjust the height of the eye line quickly without having to touch the legs.

During the interview I may have a camera operator move the camera to give the interview a bit of motion, therefore the tripod assembly needs to be sturdy and cannot have any unwanted shift in the leveling.

I would be using mostly Sony Mirrorless cameras such as the A7S.

I was looking into the Manfrotto 755XB but a negative review on BHPhoto suggests the center column shifts with the movement of the camera.
 
A ball mount head will give you the easiest and fastest leveling control. But for the most part, that's incompatible with having an elevating center column. You may need to make a choice there. I tend to think center columns are kind of evil anyway -- all the stability has to come from the stiffness of that one vertical member instead of being dispersed among the three angled legs. Consequently they tend to vibrate a lot.

You didn't mention your budget, or what kind of head you'd like to use. Those will make a big difference in choosing the best legs.

- Greg
 
HEAD: Because we may add motion to the interview shot it must be a fluid pan/tilt head.
CENTER COLUMN: It must be a center column in order for us to adjust eye line easily (to move vertically up or down quickly).
BUDGET: Up to $1500 USD (for legs only as I can use my current fluid pan/tilt heads)
 
What you're asking for is a lot. With a center column comes movement. For all of the money in the world you won't find a great easy leveling sturdy center column tripod right out of the box. What I've had to do is to get the center column tripod (aluminum because it's heavier) and a weight to hang off the column. Then I purchased a manfrotto 438 compact leveling head. I then put my fluid head on top of that. It works well but you really have to be careful with movement. Even with the weight on the column I still use my hand to hold on to it while I pan.
 
I have a Davis & Sanford heavy tripod with an elevating center post and it's a TANK. It also goes HIGHER than almost every single other tripod out there allowing me to get shots the others don't. The fluid head is decent considering the price - which is about $170.
For a camera as light as a DSLR - the center post loses no stability whatsoever - TANK. I've put 20-pound rigs on it with no problems.

Of COURSE it's no Sactler or O'Connnor - but if you're just putting the camera on it and NOT doing lots of pans and tilts then it makes no difference.
Did I mention it's $170? I have the ball head version too and that's great for leveling, but the quick vertical adjustment of the center post on the other one is just too dang convenient. I have 3 of these in total and the oldest one goes back about 7-years to my DVX100 days and it's been beaten-up pretty good and it is still in flawless condition.

One hell of a value if you ask me..

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ord_PRO_VISTA_TRIPOD_ELVATION.html/prm/623781
 
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For a good cheap head, look at the Benro s-8 You can get it on a center column or adapt it to a ball leveler. I found it's much better than the Manfrotto, they also have some good carbon fiber sticks. If your an educator, or student, you can get a decent discount. About $70.00 off making it a 200.00 head that performs well. I typically use Vinten vision 5 and 10, both are also a great head that can be found for around 1k.
 
DPStewart said:
I have a Davis & Sanford heavy tripod with an elevating center post and it's a TANK. It also goes HIGHER than almost every single other tripod out there allowing me to get shots the others don't. The fluid head is decent considering the price - which is about $170.
For a camera as light as a DSLR - the center post loses no stability whatsoever - TANK. I've put 20-pound rigs on it with no problems.

Of COURSE it's no Sactler or O'Connnor - but if you're just putting the camera on it and NOT doing lots of pans and tilts then it makes no difference.
Did I mention it's $170? I have the ball head version too and that's great for leveling, but the quick vertical adjustment of the center post on the other one is just too dang convenient. I have 3 of these in total and the oldest one goes back about 7-years to my DVX100 days and it's been beaten-up pretty good and it is still in flawless condition.

One hell of a value if you ask me..

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ord_PRO_VISTA_TRIPOD_ELVATION.html/prm/623781
Click to expand...



jus got that tripod 2 weeks ago, I love it.
best $170 ive spent.
 
I'll second the Benro. I have a Sachtler FSB6 with CF legs I use for more demanding jobs but sometimes I need to travel locally very light. I picked up a Benro S4 with CF legs that weigh just under 5 lbs and has level for legs and the head and adjusts very quickly. Using it with BMPCC and Sony x70. The S8 or S7 should work with heavier cameras and their new BV head series have more professional counter balance and drag control.
 
The Gitzo GT2531LVL has a built in leveler on the center column. I've taken mine on hundreds of shoots, both interview and b-roll, and it's rock solid.
 
cseeman said:
I'll second the Benro. I have a Sachtler FSB6 with CF legs I use for more demanding jobs but sometimes I need to travel locally very light. I picked up a Benro S4 with CF legs that weigh just under 5 lbs and has level for legs and the head and adjusts very quickly. Using it with BMPCC and Sony x70. The S8 or S7 should work with heavier cameras and their new BV head series have more professional counter balance and drag control.
Click to expand...

One other thing to mention on the Benro heads, they also have a very good line of monopods that can take the head as well. Look on YouTube for some reviews. I will say this though. Unless you buy the best from Manfrotto, their newer heads SUCK! We have two 504 heads that are broken from non heavy use, Cheaply built and break easily, overpriced for what they are. Back in the day I used a lot of the older high end Manfrotto heads and I loved them. But now, not a chance in hell I would sink any money into their systems. I'm happy with using our older Vinten Vision heads, They still pan and tilt as smooth as butter, and can be balanced easily for heavy camera rigs.
 
Manfrotto makes some tripods with geared center columns that might suit your need. A top fashion photographer was found of their Triaut legs but only for stills so used it with a studio ball head.

https://www.manfrotto.us/products/supports/tripod-legs/triaut-camera-tripod-black

Additional features include a mid-level spreader, & "simultaneous release of all 3 legs or any individual leg". If the legs are taken care of the release feature works well, but if not they can get a bit sticky.

Most any decent tripod with mid-level spreader can adjust it's height quickly if your willing to grab the spreader & pull it upwards to skinny the spread a bit. Doesn't offer quite the range of longer center columns but I use it often in combination with my Satchler Speed Legs.

If you go with a center column tripod consider adding a quick leveling base. I'm a fan of Acratech's.

http://www.acratech.net/categories/leveling-products.html
 
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